NEIL ROBERTSON has revealed how taxi troubles almost derailed his £500,000 desert title tilt.
The Australian claimed his 10-9 victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters was his “greatest achievement”, which surpasses his world title triumph 15 years ago.
GettyNeil Robertson admits his Saudi Masters win was almost undone by a rogue taxi trip[/caption]
Money-wise, the win in Jeddah was DOUBLE what he earned for being the King of the Crucible in 2010, representing a jackpot of half a million pounds.
Yet clumsy Robbo, 43, has had a habit of woes connected to planes, trains and automobiles and that was the case last week while in the oil-rich nation.
This is the same bloke who once drove to the wrong Barnsley (in Gloucestershire) and Sheffield (in Cornwall) instead of events in South Yorkshire.
The new world No.3 – who credits coach Joe Perry for transforming his game – said: “I had a couple of funny stories with the courtesy cars out here.
“One day, we couldn’t get one and we got an Uber. I had the pin location for the venue. We’re in the Uber, it’s the most straightforward drive.
“And he goes to Joe and I: ‘Oh, which arena do you want to go to?’
“Both of us didn’t have any signal on our phones. I said: ‘Just go to the point on the pin.’
“This was like Germany a few years ago where my taxi driver actually drove to the wrong venue.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
“I said to Joe: ‘This stuff just happens to me. You know these times when I drive to the wrong place – it’s not my fault.’
“Ahead of the final, I booked a courtesy car and we’re waiting outside the hotel and he’s not turned up – because he drove to the venue instead of the hotel.
“I’m telling you, all these things, they’re not all my fault!
“So it was lucky we planned to get to the venue so early, which allowed me to get here an hour before.
“Probably 18 months ago, I’d have planned to get here 45 minutes before and then I’m preparing for the final with five minutes practice.”
HELPING HAND
Robertson failed to qualify for the 2024 World Snooker Championship – he claims he reached “right to the bottom” of the sport – and ended up working for the BBC TV commentary team instead.
This latest “good-feel story” signals a huge “rebound” in his career that he hopes is an inspiration to other pros who have fallen on hard times.
He credits Perry – a former top-10 player – and Cambridge-based sports psychologist Helen Davis for rebuilding his confidence.
Some of the mammoth winnings will be spent on his new hobby of golf, which takes up most of his free time.
The Thunder from Down Under said: “I’m going to get a new set of golf clubs, mate. I’m due an upgrade. I’ve outgrown the set I got last year.
“And hopefully membership at another golf course as well. I’m a member at the Cambridge Country Club.
“But I also want to be a member of Gog Magog where they have the Open qualifying.
“Hopefully the guys working there have seen this result and I might get bumped in front of the queue, because it’s a three-year waiting list.”
RELATIONSHIP WITH ROCKET
O’Sullivan, who gets a £147,000 bonus for hitting two 147s in the semi-final, made an error in the final, 19th frame that allowed Robertson to clinch the sport’s fourth major.
The Rocket, 49, is using a new cue this season but he has already shown he is going to be a significant contender for the top events.
Robertson added: “Ronnie calls me pretty frequently. He wants to see me win more world titles and more tournaments.
“He really wants to see me do well. So to have that kind of relationship with him is incredibly special.
“He’s one of the inspirations for me growing up as a kid. There’s no way I’d have thought as a 14-year-old I’ll be competing against Ronnie in major finals.
“Or I’ll be where I am today over nearly 30 years later.
“It’s got to go down as one of the greatest finals of all time. I’ve certainly had my fair share of good results in big finals when they’ve gone close and you know this is another one.”
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
